Sunshine Room- Big Question - Term 2.1 - What do I know about winter? 25/26

We will begin by inviting the children to share their ideas, allowing us to build on their existing knowledge. This supports communication and language as children listen to one another, express their thoughts, and develop confidence in sharing ideas.

Throughout the half term, the children will explore winter through a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. They will learn about changes in the weather, the clothing we wear to keep warm, and the seasonal changes they may notice in the world around them. These experiences support children’s understanding of the world and encourage curiosity and questioning.

As part of our learning, we will explore key questions such as:

• What is ice and where does it come from?

• What do people celebrate in winter?

• What do I need to stay warm?

These discussions encourage early scientific thinking, deepen children’s awareness of their community and the wider world, and support development in personal, social and emotional skills as well as physical development.

We will introduce and explore key winter vocabulary, including winter, cold, snow, ice, gloves, hat, and scarf. Children will have many opportunities to use this language in meaningful contexts, helping to build confidence and strengthen communication skills.

Children will also explore winter colours through painting and creative activities, developing their expressive arts and design skills as they experiment with different materials and represent their ideas. We will observe changes in our environment and, if it snows, investigate the properties of snow and ice through hands-on sensory play.

Throughout the half term, children will learn new Makaton signs to support communication and will enjoy learning a winter poem, helping to develop early literacy, memory, and oracy skills.